India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
